BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an electrodeless lighting system, and more particularly,
to an electrodeless lighting system capable of selectively illuminating an electrodeless
bulb among a plurality of electrodeless bulbs installed inside the resonator.
2. Description of the Background Art
[0002] In general, a lighting instrument using a microwave is an apparatus in which a microwave
is added to an electrodeless plasma bulb thereby emitting visible rays and ultraviolet
rays. The lighting instrument has a bulb with longer lifetimes than a general incandescent
lamp, or a fluorescent lamp, and has excellent efficiency in lighting.
[0003] Figure 1 is a sectional view illustrating a conventional electrodeless lighting system,
and Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a bulb of an electrodeless
bulb assembly of Figure 1.
[0004] As shown in Figure 1, a conventional electrodeless lighting system includes a casing
1; a high-tension generator 2 mounted inside the casing 1, and for generating a high
tension; a microwave generator 3 mounted inside the casing 1 at a certain interval
between itself and the high-tension generator 2, and for generating a microwave; a
waveguide 4 for guiding a microwave generated at the microwave generator 3; a resonator
5 installed at the outside of the casing 1 so as to communicate with the waveguide
4, and generating a high intensity electromagnet field by exciting the microwave guided
thereto through the waveguide 4; an electrodeless bulb assembly 6 rotatably mounted
inside the resonator 5, and including a bulb in which a luminescent material forms
a plasma thereby generating light; a mirror 7 positioned at a lower surface of the
electrodeless bulb assembly 6, and for upwardly reflecting the light emitted from
the electrodeless bulb assembly 6; and a reflector 8 for concentrating light generated
at the electrodeless bulb assembly 6, and upwardly reflecting the light.
[0005] Inside the casing 1, a first driving motor 9 for rotating the electrodeless bulb
assembly 6 is installed, and a rotation shaft 9a of the first driving motor 9 is connected
with a shaft portion 6a of the electrodeless bulb assembly 6 by a connecting shaft
9b. And also, inside the casing 1, a cooling fan 11 and a second driving motor 12
for driving the cooling fan 11 are mounted in order to cool the heat generated at
the high tension generator 2 and the microwave generator 3.
[0006] At the casing 11, an air duct 13 for guiding external air to the high-tension generator
2 and the microwave generator 3 is provided.
[0007] As shown in Figure 2, the electrodeless bulb assembly 6 consists of a transparent
bulb 6b filled with a luminescent material, and a shaft portion 6a extended from the
bulb 6b so as to be connected with the connecting shaft 9b.
[0008] Operations of the conventional electrodeless lighting system constructed as above
will now be described.
[0009] When power is applied to an electrodeless lighting system, a high tension is generated
at the high-tension generator 2, and a microwave is generated at a microwave generator
by the high tension generated from the high-tension generator 2. The microwave is
transmitted to a resonator 5 through a waveguide 4 and distributes a high intensity
electromagnetic field at the resonator. At this time, the luminescent material within
the electrodeless bulb 6b is discharged by the electromagnetic field, and simultaneously
gasified, generating a plasma. The light which is emitted when the plasma is generated
at the electrodeless bulb 6b is upwardly reflected by the mirror 7 and the reflector
8.
[0010] However, in the conventional lighting system, the electrodeless bulb assembly has
oniy one buib, so oniy one beam is emitted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrodeless lighting
system capable of selectively illuminating one of a plurality of electrodeless bulbs
installed inside the resonator.
[0012] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present
invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided an electrodeless
lighting system including a high-tension generator mounted at a casing, and for generating
a high tension; a microwave generator mounted at the casing at a certain interval
between itself and the high-tension generator so as to generate a microwave by the
high-tension generated at the high-tension generator; a waveguide installed at the
casing, and for guiding the microwave generated at the microwave generator; a resonator
communicating with the waveguide so as to generate a high intensity electromagnetic
field by exciting the microwave guided thereto through the waveguide; an electrodeless
bulb assembly rotatably mounted inside the resonator, and including a plurality of
bulbs, for generating light by forming a plasma; and a stud for controlling an impedance,
which is installed inside the resonator, and selectively illuminating one of a plurality
of bulbs of the electrodeless bulb assembly.
[0013] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the
present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding
of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a unit of this specification,
illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to
explain the principles of the invention.
[0015] In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a sectional view illustrating a conventional electrodeless lighting system;
Figure 2 is an enlarged view illustrating an electrodeless bulb assembly of Figure
1;
Figure 3 is a sectional view illustrating an electrodeless lighting system according
to the present invention;
Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a main part extracted from Figure 3; and
Figure 5 is a sectional view illustrating a different embodiment of an electrodeless
lighting system according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present
invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0017] Figure 2 is an enlarged view illustrating an electrodeless bulb assembly of Figure
1, Figure 3 is a sectional view illustrating an electrodeless lighting system according
to the present invention, and Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a main part extracted
from Figure 3.
[0018] As shown therein, an electrodeless lighting system according to the present invention
includes a high-tension generator 120 mounted at a casing 110, and for generating
a high tension; a microwave generator 130 mounted at the casing 110 at a certain interval
between itself and the high-tension generator 120 so as to generate a microwave by
the high tension generated at the high-tension generator 120; a waveguide 140 installed
at the casing 110, and for guiding the microwave generated from the microwave generator
130; a resonator 150 communicating with the waveguide so as to generate a high intensity
electromagnetic field by exciting the microwave guided thereto through the waveguide
140; an electrodeless bulb assembly 160 rotatably mounted inside the resonator 150,
and including a plurality of bulbs, and emitting light by forming a plasma; and a
stud 170 for controlling an impedance (hereinafter, referred to as 'stud'), installed
inside the resonator 150, and selectively illuminating one of a plurality of bulbs
of the electrodeless bulb assembly 160.
[0019] A mirror 7 is positioned at the lower portion of the electrodeless bulb assembly
160 to upwardly reflect the light emitted at the electrodeless bulb assembly 160.
A reflector 8 for encompassing the resonator 150 and for collecting light generated
at the electrodeless bulb assembly 160 and upwardly reflecting the light is installed
at an upper portion of the waveguide 140.
[0020] Inside the casing 110, a first driving motor 9 for rotating the electrodeless bulb
assembly 160 is installed, and a rotation shaft 9a of the first driving motor 9 is
connected with a first shaft portion 161 of the electrodeless bulb assembly 160 by
a connecting shaft 9b. In order to cool the heat generated at the high-tension generator
120 and the microwave generator 130, a cooiing fan 11 and a second driving motor 12
for driving the cooling fan are mounted inside the casing 110.
[0021] At the casing 110, an air duct 13 for guiding air to the high-tension generator 120
and the microwave generator 130 is provided.
[0022] The electrodeless bulb assembly 160 includes a first shaft portion 161 connected
with the rotation shaft 9a of the driving motor 9 through the connecting shaft 9b;
a first transparent bulb 162 formed at an upper portion of the first shaft portion
161, and filled with a first luminescent material; a second transparent bulb 163 positioned
at an upper part of the first bulb 162, and filled with a second luminescent material;
and a second shaft portion 164 connecting the first bulb 162 and the second bulb 163.
[0023] A luminescent material within the bulb 162, 163 of the electrodeless bulb assembly
160 contains a material such as metal, that is, a halide compound, sulfur or selenium,
which emits light with forming a plasma; inactive gas such as argon, xenon and krypton
for forming a plasma at an initial stage of light-emitting; and an addition for making
lighting easy by activating an initial electric discharge or for controlling spectrum
of the generated light and the like.
[0024] In addition, the stud 170 is vertically moved by the stud moving means, and is detachably/attachably
installed inside the resonator 150,
[0025] The stud moving means includes a frame 181 installed at an upper portion of the waveguide
140, and having an upper surface where a screw hole 181 a is formed; and a moving
member 182 having an upper portion to which the stud 170 is fixed, and a lower portion
where a screw 182a coupled to the screw hole 181 a is formed.
[0026] Hereinafter, operations of the electrodeless lighting system constructed as above
will now be described.
[0027] When power is applied to the electrodeless lighting system, a microwave is generated
at the microwave generator 130 by a high-tension generated at the high-tension generator
120. The microwave is transmitted to the resonator 150 through the waveguide 140,
and distributes a high intensity electromagnetic field. At this time, the luminescent
material within the electrodeless bulb assembly 160, is discharged by the electromagnetic
field, and simultaneously gasified, generating a plasma.
[0028] At this time, since the screw 182a is coupled to the screw hole 181a, the position
of the stud 170 fixed at an upper end of the moving member 182 is controlled by turning
the moving member 182.
[0029] If the height of the stud 170 is vertically controlled and thus changed, the distribution
of intensity of the electromagnetic field which is distributed in the resonator 50
is changed. At this time, as the distribution of the intensity of the electromagnetic
field is changed, one of a luminescent material within the first bulb 162 and a luminescent
material within the second bulb 163 is selectively discharged, and simultaneously
gasified, generating a plasma.
[0030] For example, the first bulb 162 is filled with a luminescent material emitting a
high color temperature, and the second bulb 163 is filled with a luminescent material
emitting a low color temperature.
[0031] In summer, preferably, the position of the stud 170 is changed so that intensity
of the electromagnetic field has high distribution in the resonator 50, thereby emitting
white light or blue light, to feel cool. In winter, preferably, the position of the
stud 170 is changed so that the intensity of the electromagnetic field has low distribution
in the resonator 50, thereby emitting red light, to feel warm.
[0032] The light emitted while a plasma is generated at the electrodeless bulb assembly
160 is upwardly reflected by the mirror 7 and the reflector 8.
[0033] At the same time, as the first driving motor 9 is operated to rotate the electrodeless
bulb assembly 160, the electrodeless bulb assembly 160 is cooled. And also, as the
second driving motor 12 is operated to rotate the cooling fan 11, external air is
flowed through the air duct 13 so that the high-tension generator 120 and the microwave
generator 130 are cooled.
[0034] Figure 5 is a sectional view illustrating a different embodiment of an electrodeless
lighting system according to the present invention.
[0035] As shown therein, in the different embodiment of the electrodeless lighting system
according to the present invention, an electrodeless bulb assembly 260 (261, 262)
is rotatably mounted inside the resonator 250 so as to generate light by forming a
plasma, and a plurality of studs 270, 271 whose sizes and heights are different from
each other is installed inside the resonator 250.
[0036] When power is applied to such an electrodeless lighting system, a microwave is generated
at a microwave generator 130 by a high tension generated at the high-tension generator.
The microwave is transmitted to the resonator 250 through the waveguide 240, to distribute
a high intensity electromagnetic field. At this time, the distribution of the intensity
of the electromagnetic field distributed in the resonator 250 is changed according
to each stud 270, 271. According to the change of the distribution of the intensity
of the electromagnetic field, a luminescent material within one of a plurality of
bulbs 261, 262 is selectively discharged, and simultaneously gasified, generating
a plasma. The light emitted while the plasma is generated at the electrodeless bulb
assembly 160 is upwardly reflected by a mirror (not shown) and a refiector,
[0037] As so far described, in the electrodeless lighting system according to the present
invention, a position of a stud mounted inside the resonator can be changed, the size
of the stud mounted inside the resonator can be changed, or the number of studs can
be changed thereby changing distribution of intensity of the electromagnetic field
distributed in the resonator, so as to selectively illuminate one of the luminescent
materials within the first and second bulbs according to the taste of a user or a
season. Accordingly, in the present invention, desired light of various kinds can
be emitted.
[0038] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from
the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that
the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing
description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within
its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes
and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence
of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.
1. An electrodeless lighting system comprising:
a high-tension generator mounted at a casing, and for generating a high tension;
a microwave generator mounted at the casing at a certain interval between itself and
the high-tension generator so as to generate a microwave by the high-tension generated
at the high-tension generator;
a waveguide installed at the casing, and for guiding the microwave generated at the
microwave generator;
a resonator communicating with the waveguide so as to generate a high intensity electromagnetic
field by exciting the microwave guided thereto through the waveguide;
an electrodeless bulb assembly rotatably mounted inside the resonator so as to emit
light with forming a plasma, and including a plurality of bulbs; and
a stud installed inside the resonator, and for selectively illuminating one of the
plurality of bulbs of the electrodeless bulb assembly.
2. The electrodeless lighting system of claim 1, wherein the electrodeless bulb assembly
comprises:
a first shaft portion connected to a rotation shaft of a driving motor;
a first transparent bulb formed at an upper portion of the first shaft portion, and
filled with a first luminescent material;
a second transparent bulb formed an upper part of the first bulb, and filled with
a second luminescent material; and
a second shaft portion connecting the first bulb and the second bulb.
3. The electrode less lighting system of claim 1, further comprising a moving means for
moving a position of the stud.
4. The electrodeless lighting system of claim 3, wherein the stud moving means comprises:
a frame installed at an upper portion of the waveguide, and having a screw hole at
its upper surface; and
a moving member having an upper portion to which the stud is fixed and a lower portion
where a screw coupled to the screw hole is formed.
5. The electrodeless lighting system of claim 1, wherein the stud is made of a conductive
material.
6. The electrodeless lighting system of claim 1, wherein the stud is detachably/attachably
installed inside the resonator.
7. An electrodeless lighting system comprising:
a high-tension generator mounted at a casing, for generating a high-tension;
a microwave generator mounted at the casing at a certain interval between itself and
the high-tension generator so as to generate a microwave by the high tension generated
at the high-tension generator;
a waveguide installed at the casing, for guiding the microwave generated at the microwave
generator;
a resonator communicating with the waveguide so as to generate a high intensity electromagnetic
field by exciting the microwave guided thereto through the waveguide;
an electrodeless bulb assembly rotatably mounted inside the resonator, and generating
light with forming a plasma, and including a plurality of bulbs; and
a plurality of studs installed inside the resonator, and for selectively iiiuminating
one of a plurality of buibs of the eiectrodeiess buib assembiy.
8. The electrode less lighting system of claim 7, wherein the electrodeless bulb assembly
comprises:
a first shaft portion connected to a rotation shaft of a driving motor;
a first transparent bulb formed at an upper portion of the first shaft portion, and
filled with a first luminescent material;
a second transparent bulb positioned at an upper part of the first bulb, and filled
with a second luminescent material; and
a second shaft portion connecting the first bulb and the second bulb.
9. The electrodeless lighting system of claim 7, further comprising a moving means for
moving the position of the stud.
10. The electrodeless lighting system of claim 9, wherein the stud moving means comprises:
a frame installed at an upper portion of the waveguide, and having an upper surface
where a screw hole is formed; and
a moving means having an upper portion to which the stud is fixed and a lower portion
where the screw coupled to the screw hole is formed.
11. The electrodeless lighting system of claim 7, wherein the stud is made of a conductive
material.
12. The electrodeless lighting system of claim 7, wherein the stud is detachably/attachably
installed inside the resonator.